Golfing News

It was a very eventful first day at the Dubai World Championship as Rory McIlroy piled the pressure on World No.1 Luke Donald in the race to top the European money list for 2011, while Peter Hanson equalled a course record to lead the way in the tournament.

Looking at the battle between Donald and McIlroy first, it is worth noting that to take the European tour number one title, McIlroy needs to win in Dubai and hope that Donald finishes outside the top nine.

Well, considering that McIlroy is currently third in the leader board and Donald is tied for 26th, there is a good chance of this happening. Online betting pundits note how McIlroy is only two shots off the lead after day one.

There will no doubt be plenty of betting offers with regards to the Northern Irishman closing the gap and ending a fantastic 2011 with victory in Dubai.

He has been suffering with a virus this week too, something which makes today’s display even more impressive. Referring to this after round one, he admitted he still wasn’t 100%.

The US Open Champion said: “It’s sort of taken the pressure off. I’m not 100% and there’s nothing I can do about it. I made three silly mistakes on the front nine but stayed patient and the back nine was pretty much flawless.”

“I definitely don’t feel invincible, but I feel every time I tee it up I have a good chance of shooting a good score.”

The man to beat at the moment though is Hanson who equalled Lee Westwood’s course record with a sublime 64 to take the lead.

Speaking after the first round, the Swede said: “I think it’s the best golf I’ve played. It’s quite a demanding course and the wind picked up a little bit over the back nine.”

“I’m very, very happy with the way I struck the ball – and I rolled a few putts in.”

Who knows what day two in Dubai will bring…!

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